By Rahim Abdul
Zimbabwe came from behind to earn a valuable 1–1 draw against Angola in an entertaining AFCON 2025 Group B encounter played on Friday afternoon.
Angola, nicknamed the Black Antelopes, struck first through Gelson Dala, who finished calmly in the first half to give his side an early advantage. Dala’s goal rewarded Angola’s bright start, as they showed greater urgency and control in midfield during the opening stages of the match.
However, Zimbabwe refused to fold under pressure. Just before the half-time whistle, Knowledge Musona stepped up with his trademark composure to level matters for the Warriors, scoring in stoppage time to silence the Angolan momentum and send the teams into the break tied at 1–1.
The second half saw both sides push for a winner, but clear chances were limited as defensive discipline took center stage. Angola tried to exploit the wings, while Zimbabwe relied on counter-attacks led by their experienced attackers.
Despite the intensity, neither team managed to find the decisive goal, and the match ended in a stalemate. The result leaves both Angola and Zimbabwe with a single point, keeping their qualification hopes alive but under pressure heading into the final group matches.
For Zimbabwe, Musona’s goal once again highlighted his importance on the big stage, while Angola will feel they missed an opportunity to convert dominance into maximum points.
With Group B still wide open, both teams now turn their focus to their remaining fixtures, knowing that nothing less than a strong finish will secure a place in the knockout stages of AFCON 2025.
